MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Published by University Communications

Fund honors son, benefits mental health programAfter Andy Lubbers died in September, his

parents, President Emeritus Arend D. “Don” Lubbers and Nancy Lubbers, heard from many of his elementary and high school classmates, who are now scattered across the country.

Andy was well-remembered as senior class president at East Grand Rapids High School. His friends expressed condolences and told the Lubberses how nice Andy was to them, especially when they felt insecure. Andy killed himself at age 43 after battling depression and mental illness for decades.

The Lubberses announced a fund in Andy’s name that will promote a mental health, bully and suicide prevention program in Kent County K-12 schools. Don Lubbers said during a news conference February 21 that the “be nice.” fund was a natural fit to honor Andy.

“Andy asked in a note to be remembered for his good qualities,” Lubbers said. “Being nice was his hallmark. His mother and I want to remember that. Giving to the be nice. program in Kent County is our way of doing it.”

The be nice. program is operated by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. It provides K-12 students, staff and parents with tools to recognize a mental illness and steps to take a proactive approach. Money donated to the Andy Lubbers Fund, through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, will support the program in Kent County schools.

Christy Buck, executive director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, said the core tenets of the program’s curriculum are Notice, Invite, Challenge, Empower.

“This is an opportunity to notice the changes in someone’s behavior, invite yourself to reach out, challenge them to get help, challenge the stigma, and empower them with your support,” she said.

The program is in nearly 100 schools in West Michigan and Ron Caniff, superintendent of the

Kent County Intermediate School District, said the Andy Lubbers fund will enable even more

New book highlights the life and art of AltenA new publication

spotlights the life and artistic works of Mathias J. Alten, who called the city of Grand Rapids his home for much of his career. Grand Valley owns the largest known single public collection of Alten’s works and papers in the world.

The book, Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy, is a hard cover monograph that includes color illustrations and scholarly essays exploring Alten’s artistic legacy.

Alison Christensen, Galleries and Collections project manager who led the development and creation of the book, said it celebrates the ongoing gifts to the university of Alten paintings by individuals from around the U.S., and by lead donors George and Barbara Gordon.

“The Gordons underwrote the production of this book and share in the Art Gallery’s ambition of enriching the quality of life for students and the

community through direct engagement with original works of art,” she said.

A native of Germany, Alten immigrated to Grand Rapids as a teenager. Often referred to as the “Dean of Michigan Painters,” Alten spent his career painting in Europe and across the U.S., but always returned to Grand Rapids, his professional base of operations and home until his death in 1938.

Christensen said the book took nearly three years to complete, and Galleries and Collections staff members called upon the expertise of multiple people across the university, including photographers, videographers, and writers.

University Communications photographers Bernadine Carey-Tucker and Amanda Pitts captured all of Alten’s works visually represented in the book. Ellen Adams, assistant professor in the Meijer Honors College, crafted the primary essay in the book, “Mathias Alten’s Grander Vision.”

“From the beginning, we tried to exhaust our university resources to not only showcase Alten’s works that have been donated to Grand Valley, but also to utilize internal talent,” said Christensen.

To supplement the release of the book, the Gordon Gallery was restructured in 2016 to mimic the organization of the publication. The gallery currently displays 96 pieces of Alten’s work.

His vast résumé of creations has also been exhibited widely at major American art institutions, and many can be seen in various buildings

Photo by Bernadine Carey-Tucker

A book highlights the life and work of Mathias J. Alten through photographs of his paintings and essays by scholars.

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Photo by Amanda Pitts

Don and Nancy Lubbers are pictured with Christy Buck, executive director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan.

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Across Campus

FORUM Volume 41, Number 22

The GVSU Forum is published by University Communications. The submission deadline is Tuesday noon. Send publication items to Michele Coffill, editor, c/o forum@gvsu.edu . Telephone: 616-331-2221. Web: www.gvsu.edu/forum.

Faculty and staff members can find an online “Sketches” submission form on the Web at www.gvsu.edu/forum .

University Communications Staff:Mary Eilleen Lyon, associate vice president Sherry Bouwman, assistant Dottie Barnes, associate director of news Bernadine Carey Tucker, director of creative services Michele Coffill, associate director of publications Bill Cuppy, creative director Nate Hoekstra, communications specialist Dave LeFurge-McLeod, videographer Elizabeth Lienau, photography coordinator Matthew Makowski, communications specialist Tony Packer, videographer Amanda Pitts, photographer Leah Twilley, communications specialist Lucas Escalada, student writer

Grand Valley State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.

Other publications by University Communications include:

Grand Valley Magazine, published quarterly; visit its website at www.gvsu.edu/gvmagazine .

Visit Grand Valley’s online publication, GVNow, at www.gvsu.edu/gvnow, for daily news updates and video features .

The overall economic impact of Grand Valley State University’s sustainability initiatives in the region reached more than $250 million in 2015. Grand Valley broke down the resources and avoided costs at the university and in the region in its Collective Sustainability Impact Report.

The report focuses on the sustainability initiatives outlined in Grand Valley’s Sustainability Guide, and how it touches every area at the university, from community engagement, waste minimization and energy conservation to courses, curriculum and campus life. The report highlights 11 sections that describe practices used by Grand Valley students, faculty and staff members to improve social, economic and environmental impact.

Norman Christopher, executive director of the Office of Sustainability Practices, said the report reflects the importance Grand Valley places on sustainability as both an on- and off-campus core value.

“Members of the campus community make sustainable choices every day that affect our campuses,” Christopher said. “Those same people — students, faculty, staff members and alumni — are also making a sustainable impact in their respective communities, which can be seen through our partnerships with the City of Grand Rapids, local industry and many other organizations.”

The university is a founding member of the Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership, a group that now has more than 250 organization members. Grand Valley is also a member of the 2030 District committed

to reduce energy use 50 percent by 2030 and reduce overall environmental impact in downtown Grand Rapids. Most recently, Grand Valley is supporting Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss’ Greening Initiative to have a tree canopy of 40 percent in the city.

Some highlights from the report include:

• Nearly 200 sustainability-related courses were offered at Grand Valley (economic, social, environmental).

• 1 million pounds of food were purchased by Campus Dining in 2015 from 23 local farms and 31 local suppliers.

• There were 20 completed LEED-certified building projects at Grand Valley by the end of 2015.

• Construction projects on campus in 2015 created 2,919 jobs.

• Over the last 15 years, Grand Valley has implemented more than 250 energy-saving projects totaling more than $2 million in annual cost avoidances and $1.5 million in annual, one-time savings.

The report used data submitted through the university’s AASHE STARS reporting system. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, which ranks Grand Valley as a gold-status university, gauges the progress of colleges and universities toward sustainability in academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation.

Sustainability impact totals $250 million

Nominate a sustainability championThe Office of Sustainability Practices is accepting nominations for its

ninth annual Sustainability Champions Awards.

The awards ceremony celebrates the contributions of students, faculty, staff members and community members who practice and support the ideals of sustainable living. The deadline for nominations is March 17; nominate a champion at gvsu.edu/sustainability.

Selected champions will be recognized at an awards luncheon March 31 in the Kirkhof Center.

The Environmental and Sustainability Studies Student Showcase of presentations and posters will take place in conjunction with the awards luncheon.

RSVP to the event by March 27 at gvsu.edu/sustainability.

Living center receives LEED® Silver statusThe Holton-Hooker

Learning and Living Center has been awarded LEED® Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, demonstrating Grand Valley’s commitment to sustainable progress through innovative design and construction.

LEED® certification is based on several factors, including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy use, materials and resources, environmental quality and innovation in design.

The four-story, 135,000-square-foot learning and living center opened in fall 2016. It houses approximately 500 students in 240 traditional-style bedroom units, and includes three classrooms, a computer lab and three faculty offices. It also includes a game room, outdoor recreational space, study spaces and laundry facilities.

Currently, Grand Valley has 1.7 million square feet of LEED-certified structures – 24 sites and structures in total.

• 47% of GVSU facilities are at Gold Level

• 39% of GVSU facilities are at Silver Level

• 9% of GVSU facilities are at Platinum Level

• 5% of GVSU facilities are at Certified Level

Co-teaching program increases student achievement

A partnership between the College of Education and the Kenowa Hills Public School District is showing positive results for K-3 student achievement, so much so that district leaders are hoping to expand the program.

The partnership incorporates a co-teaching model, placing Grand Valley student teachers in K-3 classrooms at Alpine Elementary School in Comstock Park full time, for one year, working side-by-side with teachers.

The program stems from a study conducted in the 2015-2016 academic year in the West Ottawa Public School District by College of Education faculty members. Faculty members researched whether having two adults working full-time in a K-3 classroom would increase student achievement.

The results showed significant increases in the students’ test scores from fall to winter, in each subject area, for every grade level involved

The Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center earned LEED® Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

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Photo courtesy of Jason Snyder

Grand Valley student teachers work alongside Alpine Elementary School teachers.

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What’s AheadReception will celebrate Latino residents exhibition

Stories and photographs of more than 50 Holland area Latino residents will be displayed at the Herrick District Library on February 28.

A reception to celebrate the collection will begin at 6 p.m. at the library, 300 S. River Ave. It is free and open to the public.

Nuestra Comunidad Hispana was a collaborative partnership among Latin Americans United for Progress, Herrick District Library, Kutsche Office of Local History, Meijer Campus in Holland, City of Holland, and Holland Museum.

Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, said this is the second story collection of Latino residents. This year’s exhibit was funded by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council to LAUP.

Stories and photographs collected through this project will be available permanently in the genealogy section of the library.

More information is available online at www.gvsu.edu/kutsche.

Alumnae will reveal research about race, gender and leadership

Two Grand Valley alumnae will reveal research they conducted as W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network fellows about race, gender and leadership in West Michigan during two community forums.

Patricia Sosa VerDuin and Shannon Cohen will present “Invisible Walls, Ceilings and Floors: Championing the Voices and Inclusion of Female Leaders of Color in West Michigan” on the following dates:

• March 2, noon-1:30 p.m., in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room; RSVP at invisiblewallsceilingsandfloors-ottawa.eventbrite.com

• March 16, 6-7:30 p.m., in the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium; RSVP at invisiblewallsceilingsandfloors-kent.eventbrite.com

Both events, which are hosted by the Division

of Inclusion and Equity, are free and open to the public.

Sosa VerDuin and Cohen surveyed 120 women of color, ages 30-60, then followed with focus groups to learn more about their successes and struggles at work and home.

“There is lots of quantitative data about the disparity in leadership roles for women of color in West Michigan,” Sosa VerDuin said. “But we have never heard the voices. We wanted to add people’s voices and their lived experiences.”

Their research may dispel myths about the area’s employment pool. Of the women surveyed, 57 percent have advanced college degrees. “People will say that it’s difficult to find talent of color, but perhaps the pipelines might be plugged by not allowing entry by a rich, diverse workforce,” Cohen said.

Both researchers hope employment managers and decision-makers will attend an Invisible Wall event. Cohen said after their presentation, they will include recommendations and a call to action for audience members.

Sosa VerDuin and Cohen met when they were selected as Kellogg Foundation fellows, and “Invisible Walls” became their collaborative fellowship project. Cohen called the project a “merger of heart and head.”

“Both Pat and I are women of color and leaders but from different generations,” Cohen said. “We very much know the emotional toll of being the only woman of color in a leadership position or in volunteer work.”

Sosa VerDuin is a principal of Mobius Coaching; Cohen is a principal of Shannon Cohen Inc.

YPHE concludes year with leadership panel event

Young Professionals in Higher Education will conclude its year of programming with an event Friday, March 3, that will feature a panel of local leaders in the field of higher education.

The leadership and networking event will take place from 7:30-9 a.m. in the DeVos Center, University Club Room, with breakfast provided. Faculty and staff members from colleges and universities throughout the Grand Rapids area are invited to this free event.

The event will allow young professionals to

engage in meaningful dialogue with leaders from Grand Valley, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University.

Panelists include Erika Wallace, associate athletic director/senior woman administrator at Grand Valley, Francisco Ramirez, admissions and enrollment coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College, and Rhae-Ann Booker, executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Davenport University.

Grand Valley faculty and staff members can register at www.gvsu.edu/sprout. Non-Grand Valley employees can register by sending an email to yphighered@gmail.com.

YPHE is a collective of professionals from area universities and colleges who organize a variety of programs each academic year. Visit www.gvsu.edu/yphe for more information.

Health Forum event will detail Zika virus

Panelists will discuss the Zika virus and its impact locally and globally during a Health Forum of West Michigan event.

“Understanding the Zika Virus” is set for Friday, March 3, at the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium. A light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the presentation will begin at 8. The event, hosted by the Office of the Vice Provost for Health, is free and open to the public.

Panelists are Juliet Bedford, research associate at Oxford University and founder/director of Anthrologica; Dr. Andrew Jameson, infectious disease unit at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s; Michael Kaufman, faculty member in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University. The moderator is Kristin Hedges, assistant professor of anthropology at Grand Valley.

RSVP for the event online at www.gvsu.edu/vphealth.

around Grand Rapids.

“The paintings in the Gordon Gallery and this book now go hand-in-hand,” said Christensen. “Someone can be enjoying an Alten painting in the gallery while reading about the piece in the book.”

She added that the publication will eventually accompany a traveling exhibition of Alten’s work.

Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy will be available for purchase at both Grand Valley Laker Stores on the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses beginning March 3. The book

will be priced at $59.95 ($75 with slip case).

“This book is a great investment in aesthetics because it is an amazing example of design and imagery,” Christensen said. “Everything in the book was thoughtfully pieced together so that the reader can enjoy an aesthetically pleasing experience.”

The book will make its public debut during a special community open house Friday, March 3, from 3-5 p.m. in the Gordon Gallery, located in Building E of the DeVos Center.

To RSVP for the community open house, contact the Art Gallery at x12563 or gallery@gvsu.edu. More information can be found at gvsu.edu/artgallery.

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Erika Wallace

Book will accompany revamped Gordon Gallery

The Gordon Gallery was restructured to mirror the book’s organization.

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In the NewsAssistant dean earns national nursing honor

Trisha Thomas, assistant dean for practice for the Kirkhof College of Nursing, received the CNL Vanguard Award at the Clinical Nurse Leader Summit, held February 22-24 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The award recognizes the innovative work of CNL nurses and nurse educators.

Thomas pioneered the development and implementation of the CNL role at University of Detroit Mercy during her tenure there. Thomas joined the KCON faculty in the fall semester.

Institutional Marketing earns awards

Institutional Marketing earned numerous honors for publications, website and public relations efforts entered in the 32nd Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

Gold awards were received for the Charter Schools Office Report, Laker Effect brochure, Foundation Annual Report on Giving, and the Lakers Speak Up! Against Bias campaign.

Silver awards were received for the senior viewbook and theater production of “Good Kids.” Merit awards were received for the Laker Effect webpage and CLAS Quadrennial Report.

SketchesRoger Ellis, professor of communications, presented a series of four

performance workshops in voice and movement for the Michigan Thespian Society in Saginaw and Greenville. He also served as a clinic adjudicator for the West Michigan Theatre High School Theatre Festival in Greenville.

Timothy Eernisse, director of development and marketing for WGVU Public Media, was elected to the Executive Council for the National Educational Telecommunications Association Community Engagement Committee.

Felix Ngassa, professor of chemistry, wrote an article, “Facile Synthesis of Arylsulfonates from Phenol Derivatives and Sulfonyl Chlorides,” published in Trends in Organic Chemistry.

Sok Kean Khoo, associate professor of cell and molecular biology, was a co-author for two articles, “RNA Sequencing of Archived Neonatal Dried Blood Spots” and “MTA3 Regulates Extravillous Trophoblast Invasion Through NuRD Complex,” published in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports and AIMS Medical Science, respectively.

Beth Macauley, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, gave presentations, “Evaluating the Horse for Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy” and “Advanced Therapy Techniques in Equinoterapia,” at C.A.R.A.E.-Santa Cruz in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Biology faculty members Keith Piccard and Stephen Rybzynsi, and Peter Riemersma, associate professor of geology, were authors of an article, “An Inquiry Lesson on Stream Ecosystems,” published in Science Scope.

Joel Stillerman, professor of sociology, wrote articles, “Housing Pathways, Elective Belonging, and Family Ties in Middle Class Chileans’ Housing Choices,” published in Poetics: Journal of Empirical Research on Culture, the Media and the Arts; and “Explaining Strike Outcomes in Chile: Structural Power, Associational Power, and Spatial Strategies,” published in Latin American Politics and Society.

Tricia Thomas

Across Campuswith the program. In general, the co-teaching model showed a significant impact on students’ achievements. Students who received services through a co-teaching classroom showed a higher performance compared with students in a traditional classroom.

Sheryl Vlietstra, affiliate professor of education, said the research began four years ago after some K-12 districts became hesitant to use student teachers in the classroom.

“K-12 teachers have many state requirements to fulfill,” said Vlietstra, “and, there is an old perception that teachers have to turn their classrooms over to student teachers, causing a possible disruption in the curriculum.”

Educators from Kenowa Hills were impressed

with results from the study and, in 2016, implemented the co-teaching model with 10 Grand Valley students in 10 classrooms at Alpine Elementary. They said having another qualified instructor in the classroom helped meet student needs on a regular basis, improved planning and reflection, and allowed for different ideas and perspectives.

Jason Snyder, principal of Alpine Elementary, said having Grand Valley students immersed in the school for a full year helped them get to know the elementary school students on both a personal and academic level.

“This is huge for our kids,” said Snyder. “When it’s time for GVSU students to move into their student teaching time, they have the knowledge to individualize instruction, boosting student achievement. Their long-term presence

in the classroom has also been positive for our overall school culture, which isn’t captured in the data.”

This year, there are 11 Grand Valley student teachers in Alpine Elementary; Burde said they hope to expand the program to upper-level elementary grades.

Doug Busman, associate professor of education at Grand Valley, said the partnership highlights the importance of Grand Valley’s Teacher Preparation Program in mentoring and graduating outstanding future teachers.

“The high quality of the Grand Valley pre-service teacher, and the level of competence, patience and commitment on the part of the Alpine teacher professionals made this project a success,” Busman said.

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schools to participate.

“I’ve seen firsthand numerous students who struggle with mental health issues, and there are so many more we don’t know about,” Caniff said. “This is very, very real, adolescent depression and much more work is needed to address mental health and bullying issues.”

Lubbers said he and Nancy were introduced to the program by Jeff Elhart, a Holland

businessman who started a similar fund after his brother, Wayne, killed himself in 2015. Elhart and other people with similar stories set up “be nice.” funds through community foundations in Oceana, Ottawa and Muskegon counties.

“What parent, grandparent and interested friends of the schools can resist a plan to make the school environment more friendly, and just maybe save some lives of imperiled children or youth who need help at a crucial time in their young lives?” Lubbers said.

Donations to the Andy Lubbers fund can be made online at www.givegr.org/benice; checks can be made payable to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation c/o the “Andy Lubbers be nice. Memorial Fund.”

Grand Valley students have started a be nice. chapter on campus. Learn more about be nice. at www.beniceonline.org.

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Grand Valley students have started be nice. chapter